CH 4.1

A Small Problem

Translated by boilpoil

Edited by boilpoil

“If my sentence is lengthened, I’ll be quite troubled.”

The carpentry workshop.

There are definitely dangerous tools in the carpentry workshop, like saws and files——Considering such circumstances, it makes sense there are more prison officers and guards around.

However, the fact that the carpentry workshop itself is open proves one thing——The prisoners on the first floor are definitely ‘harmless,’ at least, as much as the decision makers believe that no unfortunate incident will happen with enough oversight.

Jiang Yiyi is happy about this development, since he only wants to live his days in peace——Best if nothing happens until the end of his sentence.

Annals of Stargaol, would certainly be over once one is outside of Stargaol, no?

With this hopelessly optimistic wish in mind, Jiang Yiyi is ready to tackle the small problem he has in order to begin his serene, peaceful life in prison.

Zhang Zheng brings them to the carpentry workshop, and glances at Tiger, before approaching a prison officer nearby.

“Keep an eye on 2091 for me.”

Yan Kuan glances at Jiang Yiyi, nods and whispers, “he’s trouble?”

Zhang Zheng looks at Jiang Yiyi, currently figuring out his way around the tools, and sternly advises, “do not let Tiger anywhere near him.”

Yan Kuan looks over at Tiger, currently engaged in conversation with his lackeys, “sure. Tiger isn’t reckless enough to go crazy.”

“Sure, he knows to hold back,” then Zhang Zheng gestures towards Jiang Yiyi, “but not necessarily him.”

Yan Kuan can’t help but wonder, “streak of bad luck, huh? Just saw Lunatic off, and here comes another one? Is it a bad year for you? Maybe you should offer some prayers and incense.”

“I have to go keep an eye on the cells. Please be careful…” Zhang Zheng ignores the tease, and warns once more, “do not let them approach each other.”

“Sure, sure, don’t worry. Quickly now, there’s no one else patrolling the cells.”

Yan Kuan shoos Zhang Zheng away, then starts observing Jiang Yiyi.

He looks normal…

That is when their gazes meet.

Jiang Yiyi, with a wooden block in hand, offers a business smile.

Doesn’t look too bad with a smile.

Yan Kuan thinks, and doesn’t smile back, but sternly indicates for Jiang Yiyi to continue working.

Jiang Yiyi retracts his gaze to continue studying the block of wood——Without a skill named Carpentry in the bag, he is at a complete loss here.

So while Jiang Yiyi is messing around with the tools, he’s only appearing busy.

He’s also noticed Zhang Zheng conversing with Yan Kuan, so he adds a ‘Friendly’ label on Yan Kuan’s nameplate, before studying the dissection diagram he has access to.

Everywhere he can see, if he focuses just a little, he’d see the cold diagram emerge on any living flesh, with vulnerabilities marked prominently. It is contributing to a sense of disconnect from the game.

Of course, this is a game; the situation is more akin to Jiang Yiyi being played by the game than vice versa, though.

Which means it’s hard to relax and immerse here——Which is exacerbated by the cold implications of the diagram.

Although it might be easy to imagine the dissection diagram as one of those monochromatic pictures found on textbooks, but Jiang Yiyi actually sees a highly practical, extremely verisimilar and clear full-colour diagram of the texture of the flesh depicted.

Which means, if Jiang Yiyi has the will, he’d be able to turn everyone into an autopsy-ready body in his eyes.

Vulnerabilities of that body, where a hit will be instantly lethal, is clearly distinguished for Jiang Yiyi’s convenience.

Of course, Jiang Yiyi does not have any fighting type skills in hand, which means he has no advantage in a brawl.

However, brawls have winners and losers, but not cold-blooded murder.

Jiang Yiyi thinks he’s beginning to take a liking to this character.

“Hey, boy, Tiger wants you in the back.” Someone bumps into Jiang Yiyi while passing by.

Jiang Yiyi snaps back to reality and glances at Tiger, who is glaring at him in the stereotypical bad guy manner. Cruel, twisted and… way out of his depth.

Jiang Yiyi looks back where Yan Kuan was, and he is not here.

He puts his block of wood down to head to the small shed behind the carpentry workshop.

“Aniki…” Four-Eyes calls out.

Jiang Yiyi stops, and turns to look at him.

“The new officer came to call Officer Yan away.” Four-Eyes whispers, “but I suspect he won’t be able to keep him for more than ten minutes.”

Jiang Yiyi blinks, and suddenly shows a slight smile, “I see.”

Which means, he only has ten minutes. This part of Four-Eyes’ statement did not have the opportunity to be heard in the end.

Jiang Yiyi pats the guy on the shoulder before heading to the shed.

The carpentry workshop is quite chaotic. What is unexpectedly serendipitous – perhaps suspiciously so – is that outside of the usual guards, there is only an unfamiliar prison officer present——The guards will only intervene in physical altercations, but otherwise will leave prisoners completely alone.

The officer in question is busy ordering some prisoners, and does not even notice Jiang Yiyi at all.

In the shed are planks and tools. Jiang Yiyi takes in his surroundings, and is not surprised to find the sharper, more dangerous tools like saws not stocked here.

The first floor does take their security seriously, huh.

“Brave, aren’t we?” Tiger walks into the shed with lackeys in tow, surrounding Jiang Yiyi, and looking down on him.

Jiang Yiyi stops looking at the pile of stuff in the corner, and looks around him.

Dull, inconsequential NPCs not even worth a description. Jiang Yiyi ignores them and looks straight at Tiger.

With such outstanding competition, even Tiger ends up standing out.

Contributing to thoughts like ‘no wonder he’s the boss of them’ or something like that.

“Looks like our latest newcomer sure…” Tiger rolls up his sleeves slowly and deliberately, given the largely comfortable autumn weather and the tattooed upper arms revealed. He fumes, “does not respect us at all.”

Jiang Yiyi is now staring at the prominently tattooed upper arm——Is he actually hinting for him to do something, rolling his sleeves up like that?

“You need to learn your manners,” concludes Tiger, crossing his arms, staring down Jiang Yiyi who is seemingly frozen in fear, as he makes his objective clear, “I heard you’ve got quite the bank on you?”

Money sure is the object of the world’s desire.

Jiang Yiyi recalls the amount he has brought in, and nods honestly.

Tiger sniggers, “pay up, or a beat-up. You choose.”

Jiang Yiyi looks at the crowd of NPCs huddled about him, and makes his choice without hesitation, “I’ll pay.”

The NPCs around Jiang Yiyi mockingly boos.

Tiger appears slightly surprised at Jiang Yiyi’s choice compared to how he thought he would react from the rumours.

The surprise goes no further, however, as one cannot expect someone driven by money into doing this to notice and decipher the discrepancy.

Nor will such persons realise what they are about to face.

He gestures to Jiang Yiyi.

Jiang Yiyi approaches.

While in his hand, his finger twitches, and a small silvery light glitters where no one notices.

Tiger, seeing Jiang Yiyi in front of him, gives his face a good hard look, then shows a terrible smile, “I’ve changed my mind. I’ll have something else besides the cash, too.”

Jiang Yiyi stops and tilts his head in confusion.

“What, you know you are good-looking, aren’t you?”

Really?

Jiang Yiyi’s gaze moves past Tiger’s arm, stopping at his heart, before moving past his throat up to his head, and finally, back at his arm.

Jiang Yiyi doesn’t have a deep impression of his own appearance——Which should be proof enough that it is unremarkable.

However, if he remembers correctly, this is already the second time Tiger has alluded to such.

Jiang Yiyi smiles, and puts his hand on Tiger’s forearm, then slowly moves up.

Tiger seems joyful, not even noticing the strangeness of the continuation of the poker face on the man before him. He’s simply happy the man is compliant.